MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
July 12, 2023
SPECIAL FOR ADVENTISTS ONLY
God’s Saving Enmity
Part 27
THE STARTLING, STILL MERCY-MiNGLED, FINAL WARNING ENTRUSTED TO A SPECIAL PEOPLE
“Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the words of My mouth, and give them warning from Me.” “And go, get thee to them in captivity, unto thy children of thy people [Israel/Judah in Babylonian captivity], and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord God; whether they will hear or whether they will forbear.”Eze. 3: 17. 11, KJV.“Whether they will hear or forbear” clearly reveals the unconditionality of the message and task. It is a stand alone, not dependent, framed, premised, or shaped by the messenger proclaiming it, much less the reaction and reception accorded it by the intended recipients. It cannot be amended in any manner of way for or by any person or entity for any reason, excuse, or justification.
To claim the divine recognition and special privileges attached to being called to do such a holy and lofty purpose, yet refuse to consistently and faithfully fulfill “in season or out of season” the heaven-honored role and undertaking of giving the message as it is to those who need it, or give another message, and as a consequence and result they “perish in their sins,” will assuredly receive the dreadful pronouncement, “his blood will I require at thine hand.” Eze. 3: 18, 20; 33; “his blood shall be upon his head” (Eze. 33: 4): “his blood will I require from the WATCHMAN’S hand” vs 6-8.
Now this from the inspired pen:
“In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in the world as WATCHMEN and LIGHT BEARERS. To them has entrusted the LAST WARNING for a perishing world. On them is shining wonderful light from the word of God. They have been given A WORK OF THE MOST SOLEMN IMPORT—-the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages. There is NO OTHER WORK of so great importance. They are to allow NOTHING ELSE to absorb their attention.
“THE MOST SOLEMN TRUTHS EVER ENTRUSTED TO MORTALS have been given us to proclaim to the world The proclamation of these truths is to be our work. The world is to be warned, and God’s people are to be TRUE TO THE TRUST committed to them.
“They are not to engage in SPECULATION, neither are they to enter into BUSINESS ENTERPRISES WITH UNBELIEVERS; for this would hinder them in their God-given work.
“Christ says of His people, ‘Ye are the LIGHT of the world.’ Matt. 5:14. It is NOT a small matter that the counsels and plans of God has been so CLEARLY OPENED to us. It is a wonderful PRIVILEGE to understand the will of God as revealed through the ‘SURE WORD OF PROPHECY.’ This places on us a HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY. God expects us to impart to others the KNOWLEDGE that He has given us. It is HIS PURPOSE that divine and human instrumentalities shall UNITE in proclaiming the WARNING MESSAGE.
“So far as his opportunities extend, EVERYONE who has received the light of truth [of the three angels’ messages], is UNDER THE SAME RESPONSIBILITY as was the prophet of Israel to whom came the word [Eze 33:7-9 quoted. Pls. Read it].
“Are we to WAIT until the fulfillment of the prophecies of the end BEFORE we say anything concerning them? OF WHAT VALUE WILL OUR WORDS BE THEN? Shall we wait until GOD’S JUDGMENTS FALL UPON THE TRANSGRESSOR [of God’s complete Law] before we tell him HOW TO AVOID THEM [the judgments of the seven last plagues]? WHERE IS OUR FAITH IN GOD? Must we see things foretold come to pass BEFORE WE BELIEVE what He said [He will do]?
“In clear, distinct RAYS OF LIGHT has come to us, showing us that the ‘great day of the Lord is near at hand,’ ‘even at the door.’ LET US READ AND UNDERSTAND BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.” - E. G. White, Testimonies for the Church, p. 9. (All emphasis and bracketed words supplied).An admonition, if immediately and thoroughly acted upon is a great saving grace, but which, IF IGNORED or presumptuously postponed for a “more convenient time,” becomes a foreshadowing and scriptural premonition of darkness and doom, which is, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the FAITH; prove your own selves [not others]. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates.” 2 Cor. 13: 5.
What specific “faith” is this as this word is used far to loosely describe so many things—some of which openly contradict the other, if not the Bible itself! Verily, it is the faith of the last day saints described in Revelation 14. Hear ye, read ye! “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus.” v. 12.
Next MWM we will provide a more definitive and comprehensive description of what “the faith of Jesus” is, in the context of the proclamation of the three angels’ messages, revealing its comprehensive, present truth relevance, God willing.
Bless all, NMF.